Hockey Ad Network

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Hockey has taken 20-year-old Waterloo Black Hawks forward Patrick Russell all over the world, and his next stop will be central Minnesota where he will skate as a member of the St. Cloud State Huskies next fall, the Hawks announced Wednesday.

Before coming to Waterloo, the native of Denmark played junior hockey in Sweden, while also serving as captain of his country’s national junior team last year. Through the first quarter of the 2013/14 USHL campaign, Russell is the Black Hawks’ leading goal scorer with eight. Adding four assists, his 12 total points tie for second on the team; Russell has contributed at least one point in five consecutive games. His +4 plus/minus rating also ties for second on the team.

“Patrick’s experience has helped him become an immediate contributor to the Black Hawks, and I’m sure St. Cloud State believes he will be able to do the same thing when he arrives on campus,” said Black Hawks Head Coach P.K. O’Handley. “He came here hoping a season in North America would lead to an opportunity in the NCAA, and I’m very happy for him that he is a step closer to that goal.”

Russell is the 13th member of the 2013/14 Black Hawks to choose an NCAA Division I destination. The Black Hawks are already well-represented at St. Cloud State. The Huskies roster includes freshman Ryan Papa and juniors Joe Rehkamp and Andrew Prochno who all spent time in Waterloo. St. Cloud State is also coached by Bob Motzko, who was a Black Hawk in 1979/80, the organization’s first season with a roster composed entirely of junior players.

St. Cloud State is one of the charter members of the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference currently in its first season. After reaching the Frozen Four last spring, the Huskies are 9-1-0 during 2013/14 and ranked second in the nation.